Windmill.



R. GLADE.

WINDMILL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I2. 1915.

1 1 90,628. Patented July 11, 1916.

Z SHEETS-SHEET I,

R. GLADE.

WINDMILL.

APPLICAHON FILED APR. 12, 1915.

L1 90,628, Patented Ju1y11,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Attorneys.

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NITEU SA N IE.

ROBERT GLADE, OF N EWARK, NEW/V JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AIR TURBINE COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

WINDMILL.

Application filed April 12, 1915.

may swing inward and outward according to the side on which the wind blows against them.

The objects of the invention are: First. to increase the power obtained from the mill. Second, to render it capable of eliicient governing. Third, to automatically decrease the area of sail exposed to the wind of high velocity. Fourth, to simplify the details of construction. These and further objects will more fully appear from the following specification and accompanying drawings, considered together or separately.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan View, looking from above downward, of a wheel embodying the invention, the shaft being in section. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the transmission ring; and Fig. 4 is a similar view of a modification.

In all views like parts are designated by the same reference characters.

The windmill is of the general type illustrated in the patent to Samuel S. Harper, No. 1,011,618, dated December 12, 1911. It comprises a vertical shaft 1 carrying rims 2. These rims are arranged in pairs and are secured to the shaft by spokes 3. Rods 1, 4 connect the rims of each pair. On these rods are mounted the vanes 5 by suitable bearings adjacent to one edge of each vane. On each vane is an arm 6 preferably arranged at an angle of 90 to the vane, as shown. In connection with the parts described is a transmission ring 7. This ring I denominate a transmission ring because the purpose of it is to transmit stress exerted upon certain vanes by the action of the wind to certain other vanes. This ring is connected to the arm 6 of each vane 5 by means of suitable stays 8. These stays are preferably made of flexible wire rope.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1916.

Serial No. 20,635.

i The details of the ring in its preferred embodiment are best shown inFig. 3. The ring is composed of a. plurality of links 9, pref erably made of flat metal. These links are pivoted together so as to make a flexible distortable ring. The stays 8 aresecured to the ring by means of shackles 10. Suitable shackles may be made as illustrated in my copending application for patent, filed on even date herewith and numbered serially 20,638. In the ring is an expansible member 11. In the embodiment chosen for illustration this member is a spring. It is as long as one of the links and takes the place thereof. By means of this member the diameter of the ring may be increased when it is subjected to outward pressure upon the stays. In the embodiment chosen for illustration, in Fig. 4, the ring is made of a single piece of flexible wire rope instead of a plurality of links. Suitable shackles, such as shown in Figs. 14: and 15 of my copending application Serial No. 825,206, filed March 17, 1914, may be employed as illustrated for the attachment of the stays.

In connection with the transmission ring I employ a centrifugal ring 12. This centrifugal ring is like the ring 15 illustrated in my copending application for patent above referred to, Serial No. 825,206, and is so-called because it resists outward stresses caused by centrifugal strains due to rotation. This centrifugal ring is connected to the vanes by means of stays 13 preferably made of flexible wire rope. Each of these stays is secured to the vane at preferably about its center, as shown, by means of a connecting shackle 14.

In connection with the mechanism already described is a governing mechanism 15 which actuates a centering cone 16 by means of which the transmission ring 7 is centered and kept from assuming an elliptical posi tion in relation to the shaft 1. The governing mechanism and centering cone just described form no part of the present application, being disclosed and claimed in my copending application filed on even date herewith and numbered serially 20,637.

The operation of the device is as follows: Referring to Fig. l the vanes lying in tangential position are represented by broken lines. In this position the transmission ring is circular and is concentric to the shaft 1. It may be in such position when the governing cone 16 is lowered so that its larger diameter engages with the ring. It may also be in. the same-position when the governing cone is out of contact with the ring but when there is no wind blowing upon the vanes. Assuming that the wind is blowing in the direction shown by the arrow, the tendency would be to turn all the vanes upon their axes and deflect them to leeward. Thevanes on the side of the wheel which is immediately to windward will be acted upon by the'wind which is deflected diagonally from the vanes, while the vanes on the opposite side of the wheel will be similarly acted upon by the wind engaging their other sides. 'Both the vanes will tend to move in the direction to rotate the wheel in a counterclockwise direction. The vanes on the side of the wheel which are moving from the leeward to the windward position will be moved with their axes toward the wind and consequently will offer but small resistance to passage through the wind. The

vaneson the opposite side of the wheel which are moving directly before the wind will swing out upon the1r axes to the maximum extent and will be pushed forward by the action of the wind upon their entire area of surface.

In the embodiment chosen for illustration there are twelve vanes illustrated and for simplicity of description they are assumed to have the positions a, b, 0, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, 7a,.Z. It is, of course, to be understood that as the wheel is rotated each vane will successively assume these different positions. In the position a the wind is acting upon .one side of the vane and tends to turn it upon its axis toward the center of the wheel. Through the agency of the arm 6, stay 8,

transmission ring 7 and stay 8, arm 6, of

is turned more upon its axis than in position g; The effect of this is to distort the transmission ring from its shape of a true circle and to make it elliptical in shape and also to change its location from a concentric position in relation to the shaft 1 and make 1t eccentric thereto. In the positions a and i the stresses are different than in positions 12 andh, ust described. The wind will act with about the maximum force upon the yane'in position 0 and will act with minvlmum force upon the vane 1n position i. In the latter positlon, in fact, the vane is practically edge-on to the wind. The efiect of thisis to secure a further distortion of the transmission ring and a further displacement of it from the concentric position. The Vane in position 0 has reached about its maximum inward turning point, and in position (Z the wind will have kept upon the outward side of it and turned it upon its axis. 'This is analogous to the jibing of the fore-and-aft sail of a boat. The stress upon the stay to the transi'nission ring from the vane in position d is about as great as in the position 0 while the outward stresses in position j are about the same as in position i. Consequently the transmission ring will be displaced from its concentric position away from the shaft 1. In the position 0 and 7c the vanes are very much the same as before, except the wind can act upon the outside surfaces of the vane in position 7: to force it inward. This will put a stress upon the stay of this vane to the transmission ring and will tend to pull the ring in the direction of the shaft 1. This lessens the degree of eccentricity at this point. In the position it there is more stress than in position 7' consequently the stresses on the transmission ring tend to more it toward the wind rather than away from the wind. All of these stresses in both directions from the various vanes as they assume different positions tend to give the ring a slight distortion and aconsiderable degree of cocentricity. The force of the wind will also affect the degree of eccentricity, it being apparent that the ring will move in the direction toward the position (Z and to leeward with increase of wind.

Should the wind increase until it becomes of suflicient violence to cause a disruption of parts or an undesirable speed of rotation, the expansible member 11 will come into action. The effect of this member would be that the diameter of the transmission ring will increase. This will permit the vanes to take angles to the direction of the wind so that the amount of sail area exposed to the wind is proportionately decreased. It is apparent that while the vanes in positions (Z and 6 will expose the maximum area to the action of the wind, the vanes in positions Z, a, b, c, e, f, g, 71 will feather to a greater extent. Consequently the area of effective surface exposed to the wind will be less.

The function of the centrifugal ring 12 is the same as the ring 15 in my copcnding application, Serial No. 825,206. \Vithout this ring the centrifugal stresses acting upon all of the vanes tend to push them all outward. In Fig. 1. assuming that the centrifugal ring were not employed and the mill were turning at a high rate of speed, then the anes in positions It, i and would be turned upon their axes to a greater extent with correspondingly less efiiciency, while the vanes in positions is, Z, a, Z) and 0 would be turned to a tangential position, or possibly even to windward so that their efficiency would be still less. Through the agency of the transmission ring and the stays connecting the same to the vane, the centrifugal forces acting upon all the vanes are resisted by the ring and the stresses are transmitted to the other vanes. WVhen the mill is turning this ring will assume a decidedly distorted position, as shown in Fig. 1. Certain of the stays will be slack, noticeably those connecting the vanes in positions is, Z, a, Z) and c. In other positions the strains upon the ring will be excessive. These will be the positions (Z and c in which the vanes are turned outward to their maximum extent. As described in my copending application, Serial No. 825,206, the centrifugal forces are neutralized from the vanes on one side of the wheel to the vanes on the other and consequently all the vanes turn upon their axes to assume a position of efficiency.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, 1 have described the principle of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative and that the invention may be carried'out in other ways.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A windmill having a vertical shaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a transmission ring surrounding the shaft and connections between the ring and the vanes, said transmission ring having an expansible member by means of which its diameter may be increased by wind pressure upon the vanes to turn them upon their axes to a greater extent and thus reduce the area of surface subjected to action by the wind.

2. A windmill having a vertical shaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a transmission ring surrounding the shaft and having an expansible member whereby its diameter may be increased and connections between the ring and the vanes, and a centrifugal ring also surrounding the shaft, and connectors between the vane and the centrifugal ring to balance the centrifugal forces which tend to turn certain of the vanes outwardly by increased wind pressure on the other vanes.

3. A windmill having a vertical shaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a flexible, transmission ring surrounding the shaft and connections between the ring and the vane, said transmission ring having an expansible member by means of which its diameter may be increased by wind pressure upon the vanes to turn them upon their axes to a greater extent and thus reduce the area of surface subjected to action by the wind.

at. A windmill having a vertical shaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a flexible, transmission ring surrounding the shaft and having an expansible member whereby its diameter may be increased and connections between the ring and the vanes, and a centrifugal ring also surrounding the shaft, and connectors between the vane and the centrifugal ring to balance the centrifugal forces which tend to turn certain of the vanes outwardly by increased wind pressure on the other vanes.

5. A windmill having a vertical shaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a transmission ring surrounding the shaft and having an expansible member whereby its diameter may be increased and connections between the ring and the vanes, and a flexible, centrifugal ring also surrounding the shaft and connectors between the vane and the centrifugal ring to balance the centrifugal forces which tend to turn certain of the vanes outwardly by increased wind pressure on the other vanes.

6. A windmill having a vertical shaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a flexible transmission ring surrounding the shaft and having an expansible member whereby its diameter may be increased and connections between the ring and the vanes, and a flexible, centrifugal ring also surrounding the shaft, and connectors between the vane and the centrifugal ring to balance the centrifugal forces which tend to turn certain of the vanes outwardly by increased wind pressure on the other vanes.

7 A windmill having a vertical shaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a transmission ring surrounding the shaft and connections between the ring and the vane, said transmission ring having a spring by means of which its diameter may be increased by wind pressure upon the vanes to turn them upon their axes to a greater extent and thus reduce the area of surface subjetced to action by the wind.

8. A Windmill having a vertical shaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a transmission ring sur rounding the shaft and having a spring whereby its diameter may be increased and connections between the ring and the vanes,

and a centrifugal ring also surrounding the shaft, and connectors between the vane and the centrifugal 'ring to balance the centrifugal forces which tend to turn certain of the vanes outwardly by increased wind pressure on the other vanes. i

9. A windmill having a vertical shaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a flexible, transmission ring surrounding the shaft and connections between the ring and the vane, said transmission ring having a'spring by means of which its diameter may be increased by wind pressure upon the vanes to turn them upon their axes to a greater extent and thus reduce the area of surface subjected to action by the wind.

10. A windmill having a verticallshaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality ofvanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a flexible, transmission ring surrounding the shaft and having a spring whereby its diameter may be increased and connections between the ring and the vanes, and a centrifugal ring also surrounding the shaft, and connectors between the vane and the centrifugal ring to balance the centrifugal forces which tend to turn certain of the vanes outwardly by increased wind pressure on the other vanes.

11. A windmill having a vertical shaft,

rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a transmission ring surrounding the shaft and having a spring whereby its diameter may be increased and connections between the ring and the vanes, and a flexible, centrifugal ring also surrouding the shaft and connectors between the vane and the centrifugal ring to balance the centrifugal forces which tend to turn certain of the vanes outwardly by increased wind pressure on the other vanes.

12. A windmill having a vertical shaft, rims carried by the shaft and spaced apart, a plurality of vanes turning on vertical axes between the rims, a flexible transmission ring surrounding the shaft and having a spring whereby its diameter may be increased and connections between the ring and the vanes, and a flexible, centrifugal ring also surrounding the shaft, and connectors between the vane and the centrifugal ring to balance the centrifugal force which tend to turn certain of the vanes outwardly by increased wind pressure on the other vanes.

This specification singed and witnessed this eleventh day of March, 1915.

ROBERT GLADE.

Witnesses LEONARD 11. Dyna, J. F. COLEMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

